dispute vs contend

dispute is a noun but contend is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
dispute	Yes	No	Yes	No
contend	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, contend is a hypernym of dispute; that is, contend is a word with a broader meaning than dispute:

Other hypernyms of dispute include contest, repugn.

As verbs, contend is a hypernym of dispute; that is, contend is a word with a broader meaning than dispute:

Other hypernyms of dispute include argue, debate, fence.

dispute (noun)	contend (noun)
coming into conflict with
a disagreement or argument about something important

dispute (verb)	contend (verb)
take exception to	to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation
have a disagreement over something	have an argument about something
	maintain or assert
	compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
	be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
	succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available